Tires WHY do tires go FLAT every winter?

[PineRidge]

I have never added air to my automobile, or tractor tires and they don't go flat in the winter.

Bob mentioned that his tires were going flat not losing air. There is quite a difference. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Roy & Pine . . . never a problem with the tractor or car tires, just with the little tires on small equipment like my small tiller, my small utility trailer and my tow behind chipper. They simply lose enough air in the winter that they go completely flat. From spring to fall they hold their pressure with no need for additional air, so there is no slow leak. But they simply go flat in the winter.

 

[RoyJackson]

"Bob mentioned that his tires were going flat not losing air. There is quite a difference"

Unless Bob has solid tires, he'd have to be losing air pressure for his tires to go flat.
Now, soft compound tires can develop flat spots if they set in one position for an extended period. The way around this is to pump up the pressures during times of inactivity.

As an example, I had a Porsche for years. I always stored it during the winter months. The tires were quite grippy for auto-crossing and other sporty type events. The down side of a grippy tire is they're a softer compound. If I didn't up the pressure to around 45-50 PSI, they'd get flat spots...definititely a bumpy ride for the first few hours I drove them after storage.

I've no idea of the compounds used in tractor tires although since they are also used for high traction, I'd guess they're fairly soft. Also, tractor tires are low inflation so any loss in pressure makes the loss due to cold weather worse (then an automotive tire pressurized to 30-40 PSI).

Speaking of low pressures in tractor tires...might want to increase the pressures in the front tires when you're using your FEL. I've almost rolled mine off the rims when moving a load close to the loader's capacity limit.

 

[PineRidge]

Bob for the couple of bucks that it will cost I would still throw some Slime in those puppies. What if anything could it hurt? Good Luck......

 

[RobertN]

I'll go out on a limb...

These are smaller tires with a smaller volume of air. All tires will leak some amount of air. The "rubber" compound in the tube and/or tire has some small amount of porous property to it.

The smaller tires have a smaller volume of air; as this leaks/transpires through the tube/tire, and maybe valve stem, it has a larger affect on the overall loss. Add to this that the air will condenses/contracts as it cools, lending to the low air pressure in the tire.

Second, these utility tires are generally less expensive lower quality "rubber". Most likely they have a higher percentage of air loss when compared to a higher quality tire/tube.

There is probably a spec for permeability of the rubber for different classifications/grades.

Now, the other flat, bias ply tires do not seem as supple as radials, and will develop actual flat spots that go away as the tire warms up.

 

[BigAl]

Ok ,I think i know what is going on . Rubber Worms ! If you equipment/tractors and stuff are parked on dirt floors the dang Rubber Worms are drilling up through the bottom of the tire . Be carefull using Slime in the tired as it has a tendency to make the worms drunk and that is a whole another problem .
I had a bad bout of grease worm attacks on my bearings last year.Kept eating all the grease out of the bearings and wear points . I just had to keep refilling the bearings till the little monsters had there fill and exploded from over stuffing themselves .
If you do in fact have" Rubber Worms " try to catch some . The Bass fishermen love to use them for bait and will pay big bucks ! If you do try to catch some ,make sure you have proper protection for the face and hands . They can be vicious if bothered during the mating season .
Big Al /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[AndyM]

<font color="blue"> Are they flat on only the bottom or the top and bottom? If it is only the bottom, then just turn them over. </font>

Is that what they mean by "tire rotation"? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Bob for the couple of bucks that it will cost I would still throw some Slime in those puppies. What if anything could it hurt? Good Luck...... )</font>

Why do you call tires "puppies" not "kitties"??????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[frank_f15]

remember , small tires have a very low voulme of air, cold will make them seem low and just a tiny little leak over months will make them go flat.

 

[PineRidge]

<font color="blue"> Why do you call tires "puppies" not "kitties"???????

</font>

Meoowww /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif